I happened to hear of someone I know getting stopped for bypassing a scale. He somehow modified his truck (put a toilet it) to register it as an RV, and (as ridiculous as it looks) pulls a gooseneck horsetrailer with it. Bypassed the MI scales not far from here and the DOT didn't like it. Wrote him up for not having a med card, not having a CDL, and ripped up his RV registration. In court, he had the charges thrown out, but apparently he does have to stop at scales because of the registered weight (though he's convinced that anything with dualies needs to stop). It's not going to hurt you to roll through the scales, and I'd recommend doing so even if you can legally bypass.

The Antique Truck Historical Society (ATHS) has a nice breakdown of who does and doesn't need a CDL based on Fed. rules. Also who buys those nice fuel tax stickers. Search google, since linking must be approved by mods.

If I remember correctly, some antique trucks are exempt from each; based on braking systems and overall weight rating. None of these exempt can be used for hire though, and most of the guys that run them are old truckers who have CDL's anyway.

If I was the OP I would just call the local DOT office (and possibly each state in the trip) I wouldn't get caught trying to explain "a forum told me it was ok" to a dot or state cop.

Ever see all the people pulling there race cars and other things done the road. with a big truck. they are private use and are not under dot rules about license.So you can can take your big truck and make it a private motor coach or toter and do not have to cross scales or stop at dot checks. This is the wording from a very large camper sales in Indiana
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That has been debated many times . One major example is that International CXT . Why do you think they rated the GVWR at 25,999 lbs ?http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...e/1368287.html
I wonder if they asked Leno for his CDL in the "truckers only " section of the restaurant ? I wonder if he smiled if he was called a good buddy .

Whenever I pull up to a light, I roll the window down and yell, "Do you think I have sexual problems (page 2 LOL)

Originally Posted by old-school

Ever see all the people pulling there race cars and other things done the road. with a big truck. they are private use and are not under dot rules about license.So you can can take your big truck and make it a private motor coach or toter and do not have to cross scales or stop at dot checks. This is the wording from a very large camper sales in Indiana

[/quote] I believe Diesel Bear stated having sponsors on it, kinda makes it commercial. CDL is based on weight and bumper, and possibly bumper to ground as well.

I thought about bobtailing around as far as retiring......at least then you'd have time to stop and play unlike when driving otr. With the new apu's ....think it's now more realistic.

Personal Use of a Commercial Motor Vehicle
It is possible that occasionally you may not use a truck in commerce at all. You may be moving your personal belongings to a new house or, as a hobby you may be taking your horses to a horse show. As long as the activity is not in support of a business, you are not operating in commerce.
If you are not operating your truck in commerce, you are not subject to the hours-of-service regulations.

Ever see all the people pulling there race cars and other things done the road. with a big truck. they are private use and are not under dot rules about license.So you can can take your big truck and make it a private motor coach or toter and do not have to cross scales or stop at dot checks. This is the wording from a very large camper sales in Indiana

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Private use my friend does NOT mean that you do not fall under DOT rules. A CDL would be required, you would have to roll through scales, and you most certainly are open for DOT checks. The only difference is that you do NOT have to keep a log book.No medical card is required either. All other things apply. I know this because I have a private carrier that I drive and have been through this before. A camper is a different story than a semi because it is registered as a RV. If you put a crapper, microwave, and refrig in the semi then it to could be registered as a RV.
Best thing you could do though is still roll through the scales and get the CDL license. If you plan on driving the thing then it should not be an issue to get the license.
I can promise you that if you register a semi as an RV and blow by the scales, they will come after you and they will find something to either fine you or shut you down! So why not just take the extra 5 minutes and roll through the scales? You gotta look at as when you have contact with the DOT, highway patrol, or locals, not alot of positive things can happen but a whole lot of bad things can happen. Take the approach that you will avoid that contact by every means possible.

Private use my friend does NOT mean that you do not fall under DOT rules. A CDL would be required, you would have to roll through scales, and you most certainly are open for DOT checks. The only difference is that you do NOT have to keep a log book.No medical card is required either. All other things apply. I know this because I have a private carrier that I drive and have been through this before. A camper is a different story than a semi because it is registered as a RV. If you put a crapper, microwave, and refrig in the semi then it to could be registered as a RV.
Best thing you could do though is still roll through the scales and get the CDL license. If you plan on driving the thing then it should not be an issue to get the license.
I can promise you that if you register a semi as an RV and blow by the scales, they will come after you and they will find something to either fine you or shut you down! So why not just take the extra 5 minutes and roll through the scales? You gotta look at as when you have contact with the DOT, highway patrol, or locals, not alot of positive things can happen but a whole lot of bad things can happen. Take the approach that you will avoid that contact by every means possible.

The use of the vehicle to pull a race car has been deemed to be a commercial activity. Not many people race cars under the thought of a hobby. Most are in it to win. When they win the race, there is prize money.

The use of the vehicle to pull a race car has been deemed to be a commercial activity. Not many people race cars under the thought of a hobby. Most are in it to win. When they win the race, there is prize money.

I disagree 1000% percent.
The vehicle itself is not making any $ during the transportation of the race car, therefor it is NOT a commercial activity. Check out the NASCAR haulers, they will say "Private Carrrier" or "Not for Hire".
This is like saying that my car is a commerial carrier since I use it to drive to work where I make $.
And I hate to tell ya but the VAST MAJORITY of people will pull a race car as a hobby. And they will tell you that they only look to cover their costs.

I disagree 1000% percent.
The vehicle itself is not making any $ during the transportation of the race car, therefor it is NOT a commercial activity. Check out the NASCAR haulers, they will say "Private Carrrier" or "Not for Hire".
This is like saying that my car is a commerial carrier since I use it to drive to work where I make $.
And I hate to tell ya but the VAST MAJORITY of people will pull a race car as a hobby. And they will tell you that they only look to cover their costs.

I do not care whether you disagree or not.

The state of Illinois has determined this and enforces it accordingly. I have also heard of others that determined it as well.